Date:         Mon, 8 Dec 2003 23:10:46 -0500
Reply-To:     David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Subject:      Re: Suburban Heater Thermostat
Comments: To: Skip Emmert-Keaton <skip@SKIPEMMERT.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <AFEKIPJMNALLHBPFACMOIEGKCDAA.skip@skipemmert.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Skip Emmert-Keaton wrote:
> My '80 Westy has a Suburban accessory heater installed.  It has a small
> thermostat mounted on a cabinet, but the thermostat is bad.  It looks like
> any inexpensive household thermostat, but has the Suburban logo on it.  Is
> this a special 12v item or can I replace it with 'any inexpensive household
> thermostat'?

Almost certainly it's something that can be replaced with just about any
simple household thermostat.  Just make sure you use one without any
fancy electronic features.  Basic thermostats are just a switch, there
isn't any kind of active electronics inside.  (In fact, generally
they're switching a low-voltage control circuit from the furnace,
usually 24 volts AC.)

The only caution I can think of right now is that some thermostats use a
mercury switch.  (Or used to, anyway; that may have been discontinued
for environmental reasons.)  If you park off-level their temperature
accuracy will be compromised, though they should still work otherwise.